Microsoft Forced To Change “Dodgy” Win 10 Marketing Practises

Microsoft who are one of the “most hated” software Companies out there, has been forced to change the way that they market their Windows 10 transition.

Known for trying to force upgrades on consumers the Company is now moving to what they are calling “clearer options” for users upgrading – or not – to Windows 10.

From this week, Microsoft said it would change that process, after admitting that what they have currently been engaging in was “confusing” some observers call their marketting “nasty trick”.

This week, a Seattle woman successfully sued the company for $10,000 over disruption caused by the software installing without, she said, permission.

In recent months, in an apparent bid to accelerate adoption of Windows 10, Microsoft altered the way it asked users if they wanted to upgrade. It gave the Windows 10 update “recommended” status, normally reserved for critical security updates.

If when prompted to update to Windows 10 users clicked the red “X”, the upgrade would not immediately start. However, the update process would automatically be scheduled for a later time.

The BBC said that by clicking the X on this box Microsoft would dismiss the message but still schedule the update

“The new experience has clearer options to upgrade now, choose a time, or decline the free offer,” said Terry Myerson, executive vice president, Windows and Devices Group, in an emailed statement.

“If the red-x is selected on this new dialog, it will dismiss the dialog box and we will notify the device again in a few days.

“We continue to recommend all of our customers upgrade to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer expires on July 29.”

Microsoft is resolute in promoting Windows 10 as a better computing experience with added security features over previous versions of the operating system.

Some users, however, are reluctant to upgrade citing worries about the strain the software may put on hardware, and suggestions that Windows 10 tracks its users too closely.

To date, around 300 million devices worldwide have upgraded to, or are using, Windows 10.

David Richards has been writing about technology for more than 30 years. A former Fleet Street, Journalist He wrote the Award Winning Series on the Federated Ships Painters + Dockers Union for the Bulletin that led to a Royal Commission. He is also a Logie Winner. for Outstanding Contribution To TV Journalism with a story called The Werribee Affair. In 1997, he built the largest Australian technology media Company and prior to that the third largest PR Company that became the foundation Company for Ogilvy PR. Today he writes about technology and the impact on both business and consumers.